Yes, there are Mr Dilip Kumar and Mr Amitabh Bachchan, but Aamir Khan jaisa, Indian Film Industry mein, koi nahin. The man is a Rare Genius who has struck upon the unique formula of combining meaningful cinema with the hugely popular one. 3 Idiots is not merely a film but an experience that you shall treasure for the lifetime. It makes you laugh hysterically, the eyes turn moist at times, entertains to the hilt and charms you with a sublime message on the Indian Education System. And the best part is that it’s not preachy at all.
First question, do Aamir, Sharman and Madhavan look like students? Yes, they do. In fact there are moments when Aamir looks even younger than Kareena Kapoor. Obviously Khan lends his star power and cinematic brillieance to the film but the real star of the film is its Writing. Big stars, technical brilliance and pumped-up marketing muscles are not enough to make a movie run. We have seen several examples of that this year. The most important cog-in-the-wheel is the way the film is written and then everything fits around it. The two writers of the film, Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijat Joshi score heavily on this front.
"Kaminey, baba ko sooter pe le aaya, " says Raju (Sharman) and Rancho (Aamir Khan) replies, "To kya speedpost se bhejta". Rancho to Pia (Kareena), "Apne baap ko dekha hai, life is like a race, if you don’t run fast, you’ll be like a broken anda." There’s a collge function scene where the cunning NRI geek Silencer’s (Trying to find his real name) speech is spiked by Rancho. And the ’balatkaar’ that happens of the ’stan’ after that is one of the funniest scene I’ve ever seen. The passages where the fight between the archaic methods of teaching and free-scientific ways of education takes place, are extremely well written and makes you sit up and take notice. Writing, consistently surprises and endears you to this film and will be one of the big reasons for its repeat value.
Rajkumar Hirani is a magician who dons several caps. His mastery over his craft as a writer-director is well known but many may not be aware that he is a stupendous Editor too. The manner in which Sharman’s family story is blanketed with a black-n-white effect to highlight their plight is fantastic. Even the sepia toned colour used in Zoobie Doobie and the intercutting of Aamir impersonating Virus (Boman Irani) has been deftly handled. The whole film is mostly in a flashback mode and the way it goes back-n-forth is devoid of any smart-alec-treatment and the simplicity of the narrative floors you completely.
Once you experience the film, it’s easy to understand that 3 Idiots is not a regular film. It’s much more than a film. It’s clear that the entire team has spent years on fine tuning the minor nuances and still haven’t fallen in love with their own work. In the sense, the team has looked at the film dispassionately. They are not endorsing or hammering a pedantic point of view. It’s an original thought with a simplified treatment as to why the basic approach towards education needs to be changed. There’s no point in devouring the bookish knowledge. What’s important is to learn to enjoy the whole process of teaching-n-being taught.
Credit must also be given to novelist Chetan Bhagat whose first novel Five Point Someone is the reference point for 3 Idiots. It has often been said in the media that 3 Idiots is completely different from FPS but they who’ve read the novel will know there are several scenes which are straight out of the book. The three friends stealing the examination paper from the Principal’s office, Raju Rastogi’s family background, the character of Silencer, the drunken escapades of the three friends on college roof top and more.
Aamir Khan the actor surpasses himself. It’s his best performance till date. Firstly, to look a convincing 22 at 44 isn’t an easy task. Achieved. The body language is totally different from what one has ever seen. When he is funny, you’ll crack up. When he presents his world view, the impact is solid. When he romances, the flashbulbs of love, blink in the confines of your heart. More power to him and his vision for Indian cinema and India in general.
Sharman Joshi is first rate. This will boost his career big time. Madhavan is excellent. One of his finest works both in Tamil as well as in Hindi. Kareena has got a limited role but she sparkles. After Jab We Met, this is her most memorable performance (Kurbaan included). She excells in the scene where she instructs Aamir and company on a webcam as to how they can deliver Mona’s baby. Her kiss with Aamir is a long one and definitely competes with the Aamir-Karisma kiss in Raja Hindustani both in the duration as well as the intensity.
The guy playing Silencer is an American Indian. He is extremely funny without even making any effort to be funny. He is one of the prime reasons for the repeat value of 3 Idiots. Boman Irani is competent as expected but he tends to be loud and caricaturish. The Einstein-look hangover could have been avoided. It has been done to death already. But his 7 1/2 minute afternoon power nap is hilarious, especially his body language. The boy who plays the role of Mili Meter is funny and very competent.
CK Muraleedharan’s cinematography is excellent. The virgin lake of Laddakh has been captured beautifully. Bosco-Ceaser’s choregoraphy is joyous. Shantanu Moitra’s music is classic stuff. Aal Izz Well, Zoobie Doobie are chartbuster stuff but the real winners are Sunshine, Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh and Jaane Nahin Denge Tujhe. Swanand Kirkire’s lyrics are laced with meaning, poise, fun, humour and lyricism.
Yes, 3 Idiots is a bit long film but it doesn’t drag at all. It binds your attention from start to finish. Last time I gave five stars to a film was for Black Friday but here it seems ’Perfection’ ko bhi improve kar liya gaya hai. It’s not important if you should watch this film. Just let me know how many times you are planning to watch it.
3 Idiots: The Best Film of this decade.